Page 11 of Midnight Roots

"She's busy with a customer," I say calmly.

"Probably Heston. Alright, I'll have a latte." He takes out a twenty-dollar bill and sets it down. "You can keep the change."

"Thanks," I say cheerily as I ring him up. I pocket the change and go to make the latte. "Sugar?" I ask.

"No thanks," he says.

I finish the latte and set it down. "Thanks for coming. If there's anything else I can get you, just ring the bell."

I hear the food order get called up back, and I smile, going to get Heston and Cece's food. I set it before them and look at them, whispering together.

It makes me a little wary.

"Thanks, sweetheart," Heston says in his gruff voice. He turns to his food while Cece turns to hers.

I blush slightly and nod. "It's my pleasure. If there is anything else, you can just holler for me,"

"Dillon, I will holler for you all the time," Heston chuckles.

"Well, now," I say. "It should only be about work-related orders." I wipe the counter and look at his glass of orange juice. "Want some more juice?"

"Pineapple this time," he says.

I nod, whip out a new glass, and fill it with pineapple juice, spilling slightly. I wipe up the mess and bring the juice to Heston.

I move back to the cafe side and stand there waiting for the next customer to arrive. I can hear Cece and Heston talking, and I won't lie; for some odd reason, I'm a little jealous. I kind of wish I could sit down and get to know him. He seems like quite the catch.

I wonder if something is going on between him and Cece.

I banish the thought from my mind. I'm here to work, not to flirt with boys. Especially not rugged, hard-working farmer boys. I sigh softly and go to wipe down the booths again, even though no one has sat in them. A customer walks in, and I help them. They tip me two dollars, and I thank them.

I know it's going to be the lunchtime rush soon so I hurry around making sure everything is perfect. When I can't find anything else to wipe or fill, I start wiping the windows. I put some elbow grease into it. I want Cece to be happy she hired me. I want her to be satisfied that I'm working for her. I want to show her I take pride in every single thing I do. In my work, in my workplace, and in myself.

"Dillon?" Heston calls.

I hurry through the door to the grill. "Yeah, what can I get you?"

"Well, now I'm quite satisfied just laying eyes on you," he chuckles flirtatiously.

I blush again and take out my notepad. "Key lime pie?" I ask curiously. "And a coffee?"

"She knows me already," Heston chuckles. "You hired well, Cece."

"I'm glad you say that, Heston. You know we live to serve here."

"I'll get your pie and coffee," I say, walking back to the cafe side. I carefully dish up a slice of pie, and as I turn to take it to Heston, the plate slips from my hand and shatters on the ground.

Cece comes through quickly. "Are you alright?"

"I'm so sorry," I say quickly. "I moved too fast, and the plate slipped from my hand."

"That's okay. Dish up another slice of pie and take it to Heston, and I'll clean this up."

I nod, shaking slightly. I felt so bad. I dish another slice of pie on a clean plate and grab his cup of coffee before I carefully walk back to where he's sitting and set it down in front of him.

He looks at me curiously.

Chapter Ten